From MIT to Planet Earth.
Behind the scenes working on an interactive ecological design intervention in Ramallah, Palestine.
As an experience designer, I’m committed to building a more dignified and equitable shared future for both humans and our planet.
Trained as a design thinker and problem solver at MIT and the University of Washington, I thrive at challenging the status quo and venturing deep into the unknown. I love to work on all stages of the human-centered design process and co-creating with our stakeholders to reshape a better future, together.
Launching moonshot projects into the hands of users.
Building multisensory shape-shifting architecture with Opera of the Future at the MIT Media Lab.
7 years ago, I joined the MIT Media Lab as an undergrad. From there, I worked on moonshot projects integrating radical ideas across disciplines, from designing shapeshifting architecture to hacking adaptive-learning skateboards.
I then went on to redefine interactive experiences around robotic apartments, travel booking, and business intelligence, launching my work into the hands of millions of users around the globe.
Co-creating with diverse communities around the world.
My research practice has opened up incredible opportunities to co-create with teenagers in Hong Kong, octogenarians in Seattle, entrepreneurs in Ghana, and activists in Palestine.
CASE STUDIES
Facilitating intergenerational storytelling
Empowering African business owners to grow their ventures
Pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.
Frame by frame of a triple flip on home ice at MIT.
For over 16 years, I trained and competed around the country and world as a figure skater, pushing the boundaries of athleticism and artistry representing Team USA on the global stage. That relentless commitment to craft and practice continues to influence my work as a designer leading with a critical & reflexive voice.
This is just the start.
I would love to hear from you. Please reach me at kevshum[at]uw[dot]edu.
Background
Education
- University of Washington ’24 — M.S. Human Centered Design & Engineering (HCDE)
- MIT ’19 — S.B. Computer Science & Engineering (Member of Tau Beta Pi & Eta Kappa Nu Honor Societies)
- ETH Zürich ’18 — Human-Computer Interaction
Experience
- Designer and developer — Microsoft, OZÉ, Priceline, and Ori
- Research Labs — MIT CSAIL, MIT Media Lab, and ETH Zürich
- Clients — Nordstrom and Credit Suisse
- Teaching — TA for HCDE, Instructor for MIT Global Teaching Labs (GTL) and Global Startup Labs (GSL)
- Figure skater — Team USA
- Writer — MIT Admissions
Service
- Volunteer — MIT Alumni
- Educational Counselor — MIT Admissions
- Board member — MIT Club of Puget Sound
Press
- MIT News — Champion figure skater thrives at MIT
- US Figure Skating — U.S. Collegiate Championships Spotlight
- Squarespace — You Should Global Ad Campaign
- City of Piedmont, California — Proclamation: Kevin Shum Day
- City of Oakland, California — Proclamation: Kevin Shum Day